Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources2 documents: Special Metals, Cleveland-Cliffs
Nickel Inconel 718
INCONEL alloy 718, standard grade, 1750 °F/1 hr anneal + 1325 °F/8 hr F.C. to 1150 °F aged; Special Metals bulletin SMC-045 typical values
Stainless Steel 17-4PH
Cleveland-Cliffs 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, sheet/strip, transverse (Product Data Bulletin, May 2021)
1
INCONEL alloy 718 (SMC-045)Special Metalsarchived copyNickel Inconel 718 · Yield strength: typical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offsetNickel Inconel 718 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, 1.0 in. barNickel Inconel 718 · Elongation at break: typical, 1.0 in. barNickel Inconel 718 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, 21 °C, annealed + agedNickel Inconel 718 · Density: nominal, annealed and agedNickel Inconel 718 · Poisson's ratio: typical, 21 °C, annealed + agedNickel Inconel 718 · Thermal conductivity: typical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)Nickel Inconel 718 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + agedNickel Inconel 718 · Specific heat: typical, 21 °CNickel Inconel 718 · Melting point: melting rangeNickel Inconel 718 · Max service temperature: upper use temperature stated by producer
2
17-4 PH Stainless Steel Product Data Bulletin (2021)Cleveland-CliffsStainless Steel 17-4PH · Yield strength: typical, transverse, sheet/stripStainless Steel 17-4PH · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, transverse, sheet/stripStainless Steel 17-4PH · Elongation at break: typical, transverse, in 2 in. (50.8 mm)Stainless Steel 17-4PH · Young's modulus (stiffness): H 900Stainless Steel 17-4PH · Density: H 900Stainless Steel 17-4PH · Poisson's ratio: H 900 (column)Stainless Steel 17-4PH · Thermal conductivity: at 149 °C (300 °F), H 900Stainless Steel 17-4PH · Thermal expansion: mean, 21–93 °C (70–200 °F), H 900Stainless Steel 17-4PH · Specific heat: mean, 0–100 °C, H 900Stainless Steel 17-4PH · Max service temperature: strength-retention limit (not oxidation)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Nickel Inconel 718 stronger than Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Stainless Steel 17-4PH is stronger: its yield strength is 1,275 MPa against 1,207 MPa for Nickel Inconel 718 (6%).
Which is lighter, Nickel Inconel 718 or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Stainless Steel 17-4PH is lighter: 7,800 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.
Which is stiffer, Nickel Inconel 718 or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 197 GPa for Stainless Steel 17-4PH, so the same part in Nickel Inconel 718 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Nickel Inconel 718 or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
For the same stiffness or strength: Stainless Steel 17-4PH is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Nickel Inconel 718
Stainless Steel 17-4PH
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
4% heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
5% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
5% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
11% heavier
lighter
Strong beam
9% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
8% heavier
lighter
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which is more ductile, Nickel Inconel 718 or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Nickel Inconel 718 stretches further before it breaks: 20% elongation at break against 9% for Stainless Steel 17-4PH.
Thermal
Which handles higher temperatures, Nickel Inconel 718 or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Nickel Inconel 718 does: 704 °C against 316 °C for Stainless Steel 17-4PH.
Which conducts heat better, Nickel Inconel 718 or Stainless Steel 17-4PH?
Stainless Steel 17-4PH conducts heat better: 17.9 W/m·K against 11.4 W/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.
Which expands less with temperature?
Stainless Steel 17-4PH expands less: 10.8 µm/m·K against 13.2 µm/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.